Which Volvo sub 2k?

[TR4man]

sherman said:

TR4man said:

How about something a little different from Volvo?

I've always thought a 480ES is a good looking car, not as big as most other Volvos, but when was the last time you saw one?

What would you say the C30 is the sucessor of then?

As there was at least 10 years between one ending production and the other being released, it is hardly a successor - more of a "homage" to the earlier car.

[Challo]

Thanks for the replies. Ideally been looking at 940/960 maybe an early 740 if possible. The only other option is a S60 but do I need to avoid a auto at this price? Are they called geartronic?

[Bonefish Blues]

If the ATF has been documented as changed you are fine. Even if not, providing a box continues to shift smoothly after a good long test drive you're fine, but get the fluid done soonest with jws3309 (only).

The AW55 box is fine in itself, but Volvo declared it sealed for life, unlike for instance Saab, with obvious consequences.

[exelero]

Challo said:

Thanks for the replies. Ideally been looking at 940/960 maybe an early 740 if possible. The only other option is a S60 but do I need to avoid a auto at this price? Are they called geartronic?

I think that some of them are not geartronic, in the normal automatic you don't have the manual option whereas in the Geartronic (tiptronic) you do.

I wouldn't buy any automatic, but that's just me. Get a manual one and you have nothing to worry about (apart from the clutch if it's the case)

[andysgriff]

I have a 940 2.3 LPT auto, bought for £650 and currently doing 5k miles a month up and down to Scotland every week, super comfy and not too bad at 30mpg.

[Challo]

andysgriff said:

I have a 940 2.3 LPT auto, bought for £650 and currently doing 5k miles a month up and down to Scotland every week, super comfy and not too bad at 30mpg.

Thats does look very nice. Starting to see a few 960's for sale at the moment.

[Challo]

Quick update. Money is now burning a hole in my pocket and looking at this weekend at a few S60's. The majority are 2.0T and also just spotted a T5 for sale but its a little further out. With the T5 anything to be aware off?

2.0T
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

T5
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Ahbefive]

The T5 is the one to go for but watch out for the Auto gearboxes. I'd suggest a manual.

[Challo]

Ahbefive said:

The T5 is the one to go for but watch out for the Auto gearboxes. I'd suggest a manual.

That just because Volvo class them a sealed unit? Ideally I'd prefer an auto.

[Ahbefive]

The Volvo gearboxes of this era are just not as robust as the early ones. They shift better but are not as durable. When the gearbox packs up it will pretty much write off the car. Go for a manual.

[Hoofy]

The auto gearboxes were subject to flair. I had one that didn't get noticeably worse over a 2 year period, putting on about 10k over that period. You learn to drive with mechanical sympathy to avoid problems eg letting it find the gear when it changes down for mini roundabouts.

[Ahbefive]

I know 2 people to have autos. One was getting hesitant in gear and juddering whenputting into drive and reverse so he got rid of it. The other eventually gave up wanting to change gear. These are the only people that I have known to own this era of auto gearboxes. Both happened at around 110k miles.

[Bonefish Blues]

The AW 55 box is perfectly fine in other applications such as Saabs. As OP indicates it's the fact that Volvo didn't specify ATF changes (jws3009 only) that kills them.

Check the box once thoroughly warmed through for flaring, banging etc. If there's not a recorded change, get one done immediately after purchase and you're good for the next 80k miles.

[Ahbefive]

I didn't know it was the same gearbox as in Saabs. Obviously you seem to know why they are prone to failure so hopefully it can be fended off. I just know that the only 2 people that I have known to have them had issues, 1 was terminal.

Good luck OP, personally I'd go manual everytime.

[Bonefish Blues]

Our XC 70 has one and was starting to get cranky at about 110k a week or so after purchase. Specialist changed the ATF and it's been as smooth as the proverbial for the next 30k miles.

[Challo]

I'll keep an eye out on the auto paperwork and see if it's had a change,of oil.